Youth & Child Mental Health Services in Canberra
Zed3 provides specialist psychology services for children and adolescents in Canberra, located at Calvary Clinic. Our experienced team offers compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to young people's developmental needs. While we support children of veterans, ADF members, and first responders with particular understanding of service family pressures, our services are available to all families seeking trusted child and adolescent mental health support.
Service Partners
About
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services
Specialist mental health services provide psychological care designed for children and adolescents. Unlike adult mental health care, these services focus on developmental stages, family involvement, and early intervention.
Our child psychologists are specialised in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions in young people and providing evidence-based therapy tailored to children's emotional and cognitive development. They offer comprehensive, age-appropriate support for young people facing mental health challenges.
Who We Help
Who We Help
Children & Adolescents with Developmental, Emotional, or Behavioural Challenges
We support young people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, behavioural difficulties, and other mental health concerns that impact their daily functioning, relationships, and development.
Canberra Families Seeking Specialist Care
Parents and caregivers throughout Canberra can access our services for comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood and adolescent mental health conditions in a safe, supportive, family-friendly environment.
Children of Veterans, ADF & First Responders
Growing up in service families brings unique pressures. This can include parental deployment, witnessing trauma responses in parents, frequent relocations, and exposure to military or emergency service culture. Zed3's team understands these specific challenges and provides trauma-informed care that recognises the context of service family life. Learn more about this our Veterans Services page.
Conditions and Experiences
Conditions and Experiences We Support
Zed3's psychologists provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions affecting children and adolescents, with approaches tailored to developmental stage and family context.
Anxiety
Age-appropriate therapy for childhood anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, and panic symptoms using play therapy, CBT, and family-based approaches to help children manage worry.
Depression
Compassionate assessment and treatment for childhood and adolescent depression, including low mood, loss of interest, and withdrawal, using evidence-based therapies where needed.
Trauma
Trauma-focused therapy for children who've experienced abuse, witnessing violence, loss, or other traumatic events, using age-appropriate approaches that involve family support and safety planning.
Grief
Developmentally appropriate support for children and adolescents processing loss, bereavement, and grief, helping young people understand and express difficult emotions with family involvement.
Sleep Problems
Assessment and treatment for childhood sleep difficulties including nightmares, insomnia, bedtime resistance, and sleep disturbances related to anxiety or trauma using behavioural approaches.
Stress/Adjustment Issues
Support for children struggling with life transitions—school changes, parental separation, relocation, or other stressors affecting emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Specialist assessment and treatment for childhood OCD, including intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, using exposure and response prevention adapted for young people.
Bullying
Therapeutic support for children experiencing bullying at school, addressing emotional impacts, building resilience, and working with families to ensure safety and recovery.
Family Conflict
Family-focused interventions addressing communication difficulties, parent-child conflict, and family dynamics affecting children's mental health and development.
Relationship and Intergenerational Issues
Support for children affected by family relationship challenges, helping young people navigate complex family situations with therapeutic guidance and practical coping strategies.
ADHD and ASD
Comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and support for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum conditions, including medication management and behavioural strategies tailored to each child's needs.
Our Benefits
Benefits of Child and Adolescent Psychology
Specialist mental health care offers distinct advantages for children, adolescents, and their families:
Early Intervention Improves Long-term Outcomes
Addressing mental health concerns in childhood and adolescence can prevent more serious difficulties in adulthood, supporting healthy development and wellbeing.
Tailored Treatment for Age, Stage, and Circumstances
Interventions are adapted to children's developmental level, using play therapy, family work, and age-appropriate therapeutic approaches.
Family-Inclusive Care
Parents and siblings are involved in treatment where appropriate, ensuring whole-family support and understanding of children's mental health needs.
Trauma-Informed, Evidence-Based Care
Approaches grounded in research and clinical best practice, with particular sensitivity to childhood trauma and adverse experiences.
Psychology for Veterans, ADF & First Responder Families
Psychology for Veterans, ADF & First Responder Families
Children in service families face unique pressures that can impact mental health and development. Zed3's team has specialised understanding of:
Parental deployment impacts and separation anxiety
Witnessing parental PTSD or trauma responses
Frequent relocations disrupting schooling and friendships
Secondary trauma exposure in emergency service families
Family stress related to operational demands and shift work
Our tailored therapy and care recognise these contexts, providing support that honours service family experiences while addressing children's individual needs. Veterans Services.
How It Works
How Child and Adolescent Psychology Works at Zed3
01
GP Referral
Patients are encouraged to get a Mental Health Care Plan from their GP prior to seeing a psychologist at Zed3. This will entitle you to 10 Medicare rebate-eligible sessions per year.
02
Booking Process
Contact Zed3 to book your child's appointment at our Canberra clinic. Parents will be asked to complete developmental and mental health questionnaires before the first session.
03
First Assessment
Initial consultation with a child psychologist involves meeting with parents and the child (separately and together as appropriate) to understand concerns, history, and current functioning. Assessment typically takes 60-90 minutes.
04
Treatment Plan
Based on assessment, the clinician develops a personalised treatment plan which may include psychological therapy, family work, school liaison, or other interventions.
05
Ongoing Monitoring and Support
Regular sessions continue as planned, with progress reviewed and treatment adjusted based on your child's response and changing developmental needs.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Zed3 for Child and Adolescent Mental Health?
Zed3 provides comprehensive mental health care with expertise and compassion:
Experienced Child Psychologists
Specialist qualifications and training in child and adolescent mental health, with understanding of developmental stages and family systems.
Safe, Supportive, Family-Friendly Environment
Welcoming clinic space designed to help children and families feel comfortable during assessments and therapy.
Located at Canberra
Conveniently accessible at Calvary Clinic with parking and professional facilities.
Integrated Team Approach
A multi-disciplinary team under one roof, enabling coordinated care combining medication management (where needed) with evidence-based therapy.
Our Team
Meet Our Team
Our team combines clinical expertise with genuine care for children's wellbeing. Learn more about our psychologists on our Meet Our Team page, featuring detailed bios and credentials.
Costs, Rebates & Claim Support
For detailed fee schedules and rebate information, visit our Fees, Rebates & Referrals page.
FAQs
FAQs
What therapy options are there for children who have experienced trauma?
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), play therapy, and family-based interventions are evidence-based approaches for childhood trauma. Treatment is tailored to the child's age, trauma type, and family circumstances.
Can children access Medicare rebates?
Yes, Medicare rebates apply to psychology services. Psychology services under a GP Mental Health Care Plan provide rebates for up to 10 sessions per year.
How long does child mental health treatment last?
Treatment length varies based on the child's needs, condition severity, and treatment goals. Some children benefit from brief interventions (6-12 sessions), while others require longer-term support. Treatment is reviewed regularly with families.
Appointments & Arrival
Appointments & Arrival
New Patients
Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to complete necessary paperwork. This includes consent forms, medical history questionnaires, and administrative documentation.
What to Bring
• Valid referral letter or Mental Health Care Plan (if not already submitted via email)
• Medicare card
• DVA card (if applicable)
• Current medication list including dosages
• Previous mental health reports or assessments (if available)
Paperwork Requirements
Appointments are allocated for clinical consultations. If paperwork is not completed before your scheduled appointment time, your clinician may need to reduce consultation time to accommodate paperwork completion, or you may be asked to reschedule.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
Notice Requirements
A minimum of 48 hours' notice is required for appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer your appointment time to other patients waiting for care.
Late Cancellations & Non-Attendance
Late cancellations (less than 48 hours' notice) or failure to attend scheduled appointments may incur a cancellation fee. This fee reflects the reserved clinical time and is not eligible for Medicare or insurance rebates. The fee amount varies by service type and clinician.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact reception as soon as possible on 02 6109 8830 or via email at reception@zed3.com.au.
Contact Us
Contact Us About an Appointment for Your Child
Support your child's mental health and development with specialist care. Book a consultation with one of our experienced child psychologists at our Canberra clinic. We're here to help children and families navigate mental health challenges with compassion and expertise.
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